Feature

 
Henry is gone
A huge cavity
Is left in the world’s smile
Furrows of grief furrowed
the sky’s forehead as the
dissonant note of his final breath
untuned the cosmic tune  
 
The thrill is gone
Henry is gone
 
His final heartbeat was like  
a metronome of funeral drums
of epochs lost
The pedal tone is gone,
And a requiem
Hung in the air
Where the thrill once reigned
 
The thrill is gone
Henry is gone.
 

Women have been largely marginalized in politics over the years and to think of a woman vying for a parliamentary seat as an independent candidate rather than any of the two main political parties, is even more challenging. Emilia Lolloh Tongi overcame the odds stacked against her to be elected Member of Parliament representing Constituency 001, Kissi Tongi in Kailahun District, under an independent ticket. Politico’s Nasratu Kargbo spoke to the MP.

Politico: How many years have you been an MP?

Wednesday 8^th March 2023 was observed as International Women’s Day. In light of global recognition of such an all-important day, Politico Reporter Nasratu Kargbo engaged Dr. Fredline M’Cormack-Hale-President of 50/50 Group, Sierra Leone’s foremost advocacy entity for gender equality and women’s empowerment. Dr. M’Cormack-Hale shares her thoughts on the general status of women in Sierra Leone.

Politico: What’s your opinion about the status of women in politics in Sierra Leone?

By Abubakarr Bah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Former First Lady of the United States of America, and arguably one of the most successful, influential and inspiring first ladies in the world, Michelle Obama, once said that "the secret to everything in life, every aspiration, every opportunity, is education." She further added that "there is nothing more important than being serious about your education,” noting that it was the secret behind her achievements in life. 

By Kemo Cham

Collaborative approach is the only way to tackle cervical cancer, experts and campaigners have said and reiterated the need for more public awareness on the leading killer cancer disease in Sierra Leone.

Official data indicate a rising trend of cancers generally and cervical cancer in particular in the country. This was the subject of discussion by a panel of experts in Freetown on Tuesday, February 7, as part of commemoration of World Cancer Day, which officially falls on February 4^th.

By Sahr Abraham Grass-Sessay

As the ‘dust’ of successive incidents of Saturday 28th January 2023 and Wednesday 1st February 2023 within the National Grand Coalition (NGC) Party continues to settle, we are better-placed to weigh in on the purported leaked audio of Hon. Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella (KKY).

Dr. Yumkella was the 2018 Presidential Flagbearer of the NGC Party. He is currently serving as the Parliamentary Leader of the said Party in Parliament.

By Rex Johnson

Living in close proximity to the Freetown city centre offers you a benefit: a short commute to the business area is advantageous, and doing business is made easier by that. The disadvantages are also rather difficult.